CLEVELAND — The Browns have released practice squad safety De’Ante Saunders, who was arrested on Christmas along with linebacker Armonty Bryant following a traffic stop.
Saunders was dropped Monday after he pleaded not guilty to operating a vehicle impaired and speeding. His lawyer faxed the plea to Berea Municipal Court.
Saunders and Bryant were taken into custody on Friday after they were pulled over on Interstate 71. Saunders was charged with OVI and speeding. A handgun belonging to him was also found in the car, police said. Saunders did not have a permit for the weapon.
Bryant was arrested for possessing Adderall and not having a prescription for the drug, Ohio Highway Patrol Lieutenant Craig Cvetan said. Bryant’s case is being referred to the Cuyahoga County prosecutor.
Bryant is second on the team with 5 1/2 sacks this season. He did not travel with the Browns for Sunday’s game in Kansas City. The 25-year-old was twice arrested for selling marijuana in college and for drunk driving shortly after the Browns drafted him in 2013.
The team also signed linebacker Cam Johnson to the active roster from the practice squad. Running back Daryl Richardson was waived.
Spencerville girls to play at The Closet
SPENCERVILLE — The Spencerville girls basketball team will host Ridgemont at 1 p.m. on Saturday in the old high school gym, “The Closet.”
Ridgemont will not field a junior varsity team, so there is no JV Game. The game is being held at The Closet because of a junior high wrestling invitational in the main gym.
Sabres’ Kane says he’s innocent amid sex crime investigation
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo Sabres forward Evander Kane said Monday he has done nothing wrong and is looking forward to clearing his name amid a sex offense investigation.
Kane spoke for about 30 seconds in the Sabres locker room on Monday morning following the team’s skate before its game against the Washington Capitals.
It was the first time Kane was able to comment since The Buffalo News was the first to report a day earlier that he was the subject of the investigation by Buffalo police. Kane said he respects the legal process and noted there’s little more that he can talk about. Kane was matter of fact and spoke calmly in front of a large crowd of reporters. He did not take questions.
The alleged incident occurred early Sunday at a downtown hotel, where Kane is living, after he and the Sabres returned to Buffalo following a 6-3 win at Boston.
Top 9 teams hold spots in men’s AP basketball poll
Michigan State, Kansas and Oklahoma are the top three teams for the third straight week in the men’s college basketball poll .
The Spartans have been No. 1 in the poll for four weeks. They were again a runaway choice, receiving all but one first-place vote Monday from the 65-member national media panel.
Kansas drew the other No. 1 vote. Following Oklahoma are Maryland, Virginia, Xavier, North Carolina, Arizona, Butler and Kentucky. The top nine teams remained the same from last week. Kentucky beat Louisville on Saturday and replaced Providence, which dropped to 12th.
No. 25 UCLA is the lone newcomer. The Bruins had been ranked for one week earlier this season.
NBA suspends Matt Barnes 2 games for fight with Knicks coach
NEW YORK — The NBA suspended Memphis Grizzlies forward Matt Barnes two games without pay Monday for what the league said was a “physical altercation” with Derek Fisher and for “threatening” the New York Knicks coach in October.
The league investigated the Oct. 3 incident in Redondo Beach, California, between Barnes and Fisher — former teammates with the Los Angeles Lakers from 2010-12.
